Rebirth 1983: Building My Business Empire

Chapter 38: Chapter 37 Mortgage

Lu Jiajie supported Lu Jiaxin selling clothes, and he shared his thoughts: “Third Uncle treats Jiaxin like this only because he’s confident she’ll bow to him since she’s currently reliant on him. If Jiaxin starts her own business and makes money, no longer depending on him, perhaps his attitude will change.”

Lu Jiaguang, who knew him well, asked: “Do you think Jiaxin can make money selling clothes?”

Because Lu Jiaxin had asked him to keep the matter of Su Heming to himself for the time being, Lu Jiajie, who still had a sense of loyalty, replied, “Big Brother, Jiaxin is very careful in her actions. She said selling clothes must have been thoroughly considered, and I don’t think she will suffer a loss.”

After a moment of silence, Lu Jiaguang said, “Since she wishes to do it, let her give it a try. If she makes money, in the future, Third Uncle will have concerns and won’t dare to treat her as before. Even if she loses money, it’s okay. Consider it an experience that will benefit her later.”

“Alright, I’ll tell her tomorrow.”

That very night, Lu Jiajie told her about the conversation and also mentioned a pawnshop in the Glazed Factory: “I’ll go with you tomorrow. I’ve asked around. Mutton-fat jade jewelry is very valuable.”

...

Knowing he was worried, Lu Jiaxin didn’t refuse. In her previous life, when she returned to the country and visited the Ancient Capital, she had specifically inquired about this matter. Coincidentally, because the incident had been so sensational at the time, people still remembered it even after more than thirty years.

The person who sold the ancient books and paintings was named Sun Xun, whose ancestors once served as the Minister of Rites, and his family had produced several Jinshi and Successful Candidates. But with the fall of the previous dynasty and continuous warfare, the Sun Family fell into decline. They needed to buy the house before Sun Xun discovered the antique in the secret passageway. Otherwise, letting this gambling addict find the antique would not only be costly but also very troublesome.

The next day, Lu Jiajie took Lu Jiaxin and Xue Mao to the Glazed Factory. As soon as they entered, they found many stalls selling all sorts of items, including bronze ware, porcelain, jade, and calligraphy and paintings.

Lu Jiaxin was drawn to an ancient, plain, and lustrous celadon porcelain vase. Thinking it would be good for holding flowers if bought, she approached the stall owner to ask about the price.

The stall owner, seeing her bright attire, thought she was a rich young lady looking for a steal—a type of person easy to fool: “Eight hundred.”

Lu Jiajie was worried and was about to explain that many items here were fake when he remembered that Lu Jiaxin had left the house without any money. The words he was about to say were swallowed back.

Lu Jiaxin gave the stall owner a speechless glance as if the words ‘Big Head’ were written on her forehead: “Two yuan, take it if you sell, or just forget it.”

“Two yuan? Young lady, are you joking? This is…”

Lu Jiaxin didn’t want to hear his nonsense and stood up to leave. She just wanted to buy a vase, not to be sheared like a fat sheep.

Seeing her leave, the stall owner quickly called out to her: “Five yuan, take it for five yuan.”

Xue Mao said disdainfully: “Even for eating or drinking, I would still think two yuan is too expensive.”

The stall owner lost his patience and waved them away disdainfully: “Two yuan, who are you kidding? I can’t even recover my cost. Go, go, hurry up and leave.”

Lu Jiaxin didn’t care and followed Lu Jiajie and Xue Mao into a shop.

This shop not only collected various old items but also pawned belongings. If you paid the interest within the specified time, you could redeem your item. If you were overdue, they could dispose of it. However, if they hadn’t sold the item and you wanted to redeem it, the interest would be different. Simply put, the longer the overdue period, the higher the interest, sometimes even several times the amount pawned. After all, they were running a business, not a charity.

When the shopkeeper saw Lu Jiaxin take out a whole set of mutton-fat jade jewelry, his eyes lit up, but he was disappointed to hear it was for pawning. Still, he wouldn’t turn away business, and after thoroughly inspecting each piece of jewelry to ensure its authenticity and intactness,

the shopkeeper asked: “Miss, how much do you plan to pawn for?”

“Ten thousand.”

The shopkeeper shook his head: “This set of jewelry isn’t worth that much. I can give you, at most, two thousand.”

“This is a whole set of mutton-fat jade jewelry, two thousand—how can you even offer that? I heard from my brother’s friend that your store treats people with integrity, but now it seems it’s just talk.”

The shopkeeper wasn’t offended and said with a smile: “Miss, although mutton-fat jade jewelry is rare, yours isn’t worth ten thousand. I’ll make another concession, three thousand. I can’t go any higher.”

After a bit of haggling, the set of mutton-fat jade jewelry was pawned for five thousand yuan. More than thirty years later, a single piece would cost several hundred thousand. But now, jade wasn’t so sought after, and even top-grade jade like mutton-fat jade and imperial green couldn’t fetch a high price—except in Hong Kong, where it was still highly prized.

For ordinary people, selling items to Hong Kong was like a pipe dream, but whoever was behind running such a large pawnshop in such a bustling place as the Glazed Factory was certainly far from simple.

The shopkeeper took a deep look at her and said: “The young miss seems to be well-informed. Fine, let’s settle on five thousand. But are you authorized to make this decision? We run a shop here; we don’t want any trouble.”

Lu Jiaxin replied: “Rest assured, my family register only has my name left now, and I am free to dispose of the family’s belongings.”

Lu Jiajie’s mouth twitched—anyone who didn’t know her would surely think she was an orphan with no parents from her words. But thinking of the things Third Uncle had done, he didn’t expose her.

The shopkeeper asked how long he intended to pawn the items.

“Six months.”

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The pawned items can be redeemed in advance, but the interest charged will still be based on the current period. As for the interest, they deduct it directly from the pawn amount.

From a pawn amount of five thousand yuan, deducting half a year’s interest of three hundred yuan, the amount received in hand is four thousand seven hundred. Lu Jiaxin was quite satisfied with this amount.

As long as the pawnshop’s owner has a good eye and doesn’t accept any counterfeit items, it’s a no-lose business. However, a business with such high profits cannot stand without sufficient backing.

Lu Jiajie saw the two of them to their home, reminded them to lock the doors and windows properly, and then prepared to return to work.

Lu Jiaxin whispered in a hushed voice, “Jiajie, don’t tell Big Brother about pawning the jewelry, lest he scold me.”

Lu Jiajie laughed and said, “The jewelry was given to you by someone else; it wasn’t left to you by Third Aunt. Even if you don’t have the money to redeem it, it doesn’t matter.”

His meaning was clear; he wouldn’t go out of his way over this matter.

“How could I bear to pawn the things Mom left me,” Lu Jiaxin said. The significance of the items Mrs. Lu left was different, and she could never bring herself to pawn them. Even if she believed she could redeem the items before the deadline, she wouldn’t do such a thing.

Lu Jiajie also felt that she was sensible in her actions, which is why he helped her.

Xue Mao was someone who couldn’t sit still; as soon as he returned, he took down the clothes from the corridor to hang and dry in the courtyard, then started to sweep the floor. It was already autumn, and there were many fallen leaves on the ground.

Sometimes Lu Jiaxin felt he was like the River Snail Girl from the stories, too diligent for his own good. She couldn’t manage that; housework was her least favorite chore.

After cleaning up the yard, Xue Mao asked about the business, “Sister, didn’t Big Brother Su say he has taken care of the business and won’t sell anything before his dad and Big Brother come back? So where will we get our stock to sell clothes?”@@novelbin@@

Lu Jiaxin, afraid he might slip up, decided to tell him her plans a few days later, “If Su Heming is not doing business, does that mean all his brothers have stopped too? Since he referred us, his friends should give us a discounted price.”

Xue Mao felt it would be difficult. Mainly because Su Heming seemed unreliable, and his friends didn’t seem dependable either. Yet he remembered how he thought they’d lose money with the snack stall at first, but it turned out they made a good profit.

“You go cook, I’ll give Big Brother a call.”

“Okay.”

Lu Jiaxin wasn’t calling Lu Hongjun but rather Su Heming, “Big Brother Su, I’m looking for a bodyguard with good character and a tight lip. Do you have any recommendations?”

“What do you need a bodyguard for all of a sudden?”

Lu Jiaxin mentioned she was going to the Ancient Capital.

“What are you doing in the Ancient Capital?”

Lu Jiaxin had prepared a reason in advance, “The human traffickers haven’t been caught yet. If we don’t catch that person, I can’t sleep peacefully at night.”

That old woman caused the death of the original body, and she must avenge the original soul. Now that there was a security crackdown, once the old woman was caught, she’d definitely be punished severely. It was the perfect opportunity to have Xue Mao buy Sun Shao’s house as well, killing two birds with one stone.

Su Heming knew about her situation, and that was why he wanted to teach Ding Jing and her daughter a lesson. But since Lu Jiaxin didn’t agree, preferring to seek revenge by herself, he did not overstep, “Sister Xin, I’m actually free these days; I can accompany you on your trip.”

Lu Jiaxin certainly didn’t want his company; his presence attracted attention wherever he went, which would hinder her actions, “If you go, my uncles will definitely think you’re my significant other, and they might beat you up. Big Brother Su, if it’s too much trouble, never mind.”

Actually, approaching Lu Jiaguang would be the safest option, but with his temperament, he would surely stop her from seeking out the traffickers. Time was pressing, and it wasn’t suitable to ask others for help, so she could only turn to him.

Su Heming chuckled and said, “Look, look, look, since you’ve asked, I’ll definitely help. You want someone reliable, discreet, and skilled, right? Okay, I’ll give you an answer tomorrow.”

Turning around, Su Heming informed Madam Xie about the matter.

That very evening Su Heming called, Xie Kaixiao happened to visit the health resort to see Old Master Xie and Madam Xie.

Madam Xie had received a call earlier informing her of his visit, and upon his arrival, she naturally went over to take his briefcase with a smile, “The food has just been put on the stove; you can take a rest, and we’ll be eating shortly.”

Xie Kaixiao unbuttoned the top button of his overcoat and sat down before asking, “Where’s Dad?”

Madam Xie said, “Dad has gone to play chess with Uncle Zhang next door. He’s having dinner at their place too. Don’t worry, he’s much healthier now than before.”

Xie Kaixiao knew that, after several years of recuperation, the Old Master was in much better health than before. But as the family’s stabilizing force, he couldn’t help but check every day.

After chatting with him about family matters, Madam Xie steered the conversation towards Lu Jiaxin, “This kid heard the traffickers haven’t been captured yet and said she wants to go to the Ancient Capital to find them herself. But after the last ordeal, she’s worried that she and Xue Mao might be targeted by bad people, so she asked Heming to help find someone for protection.”

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